Finance Officer for Development Programs at Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC): (Deadline 10 December 2021)

Finance Officer for Development Programs at Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC): (Deadline 10 December 2021)

Employment Opportunity with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Position: Finance Officer for Development Programs

Duty Station: Kigali, Rwanda

Reports to: Head of Finance, Personnel, and Administration

About the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign affairs (FDFA) in charge of international development cooperation and humanitarian aid.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation is active in three domains in the region of the Great Lakes: (i) Governance, protection of civilians and conflict management, (ii) Economic Development, and (iii) Health and Nutrition. SDC coordinates its activities in Rwanda, in Burundi, and in DRC through a regional program. The Regional Directorate is based in Kigali, Rwanda.

In the framework of the renewal of its regional strategy, the SDC Rwanda is looking for candidates for the position of Finance Officer for Development Programs.

The SDC commits in favor of participation, transparency and responsibility, equal treatment and none discrimination, as well as efficiency of actions and the partners engaged with it. Generally, the objective is to contribute to a creative environment where we can strengthen the rule of law and human rights, equal rights between men and women, the appropriate attribution of powers and macroeconomic stability to allow the economic development and the rise of the private sector.

Job Summary

Under the responsibility of the Head of Finance, Personnel and Administration, the Finance Officer for Development Programs will ensure professional accounting and financial management of SDC funds in Rwanda. This entails the use of economy and efficiency in accordance with goals of financial resources as well as with the procedures and instructions accepted by the FDFA and the Swiss Cooperation Office in Rwanda.

The Finance Officer for Development Programs will support and advise the program managers and SDC partners in setting up and monitoring their accounting practices and, participate in building their capacities in administrative and financial management. Proposals and financial management development policies are established to ensure the implementation of the cooperation strategy in Rwanda.

 Job Description (not exhaustive)

• Monitoring all financial and contractual aspects of the projects.
• Specializing in computer tools is necessary for accounting, contracting, and the monitoring of the financial planning (SAP/ESPRIT, Vision+), and training new colleagues as needed.
• Collaborate closely with program managers, advise and support them regarding management of all financial aspects of projects.
• Project Accounting Responsibility – e.g., ensure entry, maintenance, and accuracy of all program data in the SAP / Esprit system (payments and settlements, creating contracts if necessary).
• Collaboration with accountants to ensure the correct accounting (see SDC standards), concerning any financial transaction relating to the programs (payments, settlements) in accounting and project management systems.
• Financial Advice and Support to Program Managers – e.g., Support program managers and collaborate in institutional analysis of partners (Partner Risk Assessment).
• Examine all financial parts of entry proposals and proposals for credits, additional credits, contracts, etc.
• Training and Development – e.g., Participate in SDC seminars for professional or personal training, in training provided by the Federal Administration, and/or other training organized outside if needed.

 Job Requirement

 Candidates will be considered if they have the following qualifications:

• Hold a master’s degree in economic management, with good knowledge of program management, or justified training, or related competencies.
• Fluent in French, English and Kinyarwanda, both spoken and written.
• Good knowledge in technology, user level, especially in accounting and management software.
• Deep knowledge in all domains of finance management and accounting, experience in finance audit, and staff training in accounting management.
• Years of professional experience, minimum 5 years of development cooperation (notably in bilateral cooperation institutions), in the field of accounting, finance, and administration.
• Capacity in terms of support and accompaniment, particularly in skills building, and in training and educational assistance for SDC program partners in administrative and financial management
• Capable of conducting analysis and financial summaries. Write clearly and concisely
• Have pedagogical and interpersonal skills (build skills, transfer knowledge, motivate employees and partners: through coaching, support, and training)
• Have a sense of initiative and taking responsibility
• Willing to make regular field visits to partners
• Willing to travel for services in the sub-region, or in Switzerland
• Interest in development work

Essential competences:

1. Analyzing: (i) Analyses numerical data, verbal data, and all other sources of information. (ii) Breaks information into component parts, patterns and relationships. (iii) Makes rational judgements from the available information and analysis.
2. Working with people: (i) Demonstrates an interest in and understanding of others. (ii) Adapts to the team and builds team spirit. (iii) Listens, consults others, and communicates proactively.
3. Following instructions and procedures: (i) Appropriately follows instructions from others without unnecessarily challenging authority. (ii) Follows procedures and policies. (iii) Keeps to schedules and arrives punctually for work and meetings.

Other qualifications: Loyal, honest, conscientious, direct, assertive, and executive, to be a model and a master of the various work tools and instructions of the SDC.

Application procedure

 We kindly request you to send us your resume (CV) including names and contact details of relevant references and a cover letter explaining why you would like to work for the SDC and what qualifies you for the position.

 The SDC is working with the HR consultancy company Sandberg Ltd to complete this recruitment. To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter with two work related references to the following e-mail address:info.sandberg@gmail.com

All applications should be marked with the reference: “SDC, Finance Officer for Development Programs”.

 Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview 

Closing date for all applications related to this vacancy is December 10, 2021, @ 5 pm